Oct. 19 (Daily Mirror) - A Sri Lankan domestic worker returning from Kuwait gave birth to a baby boy aboard a Jazeera Airways flight bound for Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake early this morning (19).
The 30-year-old woman, a resident of Trincomalee, had travelled to Kuwait in 2024 for domestic employment. She was travelling aboard Jazeera Airways flight J9-551, which departed from Kuwait City Airport at 2:52 a.m., when she went into labour.
According to reports, the woman had not disclosed her pregnancy to the airline authorities, reportedly to avoid restrictions and medical guidelines applicable to pregnant passengers travelling by air.
With the assistance of cabin crew members, the woman successfully delivered a baby boy mid-flight. The delivery was completed without any reported complications.
Following the incident, the flight's captain immediately informed authorities at Bandaranaike International Airport, prompting emergency medical arrangements to be made before the aircraft landed.
An ambulance and a team of doctors and nurses were on standby at the airport to provide immediate medical assistance.
Upon arrival, the mother and her newborn baby were promptly transferred to Negombo General Hospital for further medical evaluation and care.
Both the mother and the baby are reported to be in good health.